On Wednesday, commissioners want to hear how that is working at a public meeting at 7 p.m. in Town Hall. The policy was considered a trial, something the commission wanted to revisit it in about six months, but it took a couple of months for a sign issue to be resolved and permanent ones put in place.

The commission could vote to keep it in place or change it in any way.

Until last year, dogs were allowed to be off-leash and under voice command at these two areas all the time. But some in town over the last few years have been voicing concerns about safety.

The commission held several meetings and took written comments from the public. About half who addressed the commission wanted the old policy to remain; others wanted dogs to be leashed there all the time.

As a compromise, the commission imposed the new policy allowing dogs to be off leash from dawn until 10 a.m. and leashed all other times.

The dog population has grown in the decade and there are more than 1,400 registered dogs in town, Animal Welfare Officer Carol Hepburn told the commissioners. Also, the Amethyst Brook area is one of the most popular conservation areas in town, used by bikers, hikers and families with young children.

Hepburn said she hasn’t fined anyone yet but has been speaking with people and educating them about the policy or issuing warnings.

She said she won’t be making a recommendation to the commission but will provide information about what she’s been observing on her visits, information she wanted to present first before discussing it publicly.

People can also send comments to the commission in writing in advance of the meeting, via email to conservation@amherstma.gov or via mail to Conservation Department, 4 Boltwood Ave, Amherst, MA 01002. 